My first real attempt at free-motion quilting
 

I have been drooling over some of the pictures on this board for ages. Every day when I get my email I have to check out the latest pictures of what y'all are doing. I'm amazed, inspired, and in most cases very envious of the skill level here.

So, I got the bug . I decided to attempt FMQ. I found this table topper pattern that I absolutely fell in love with, emailed the designer and asked for permission to make it. I had no idea how difficult it would be--I am allergic to triangles--, but I like how it turned out.

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I did the SID and that didn't turn out too bad, so I did more lines. Then I tried a little squiggle in the middle strip to counter all the straight lines. I didn't like it so I turned it into a vine and added leaves. At Once I made the first leaf, I was on my way and simply couldn't stop. It was kinda fun. I didn't like it at first, but it has started to grow on me.

Very nice!! Your quilting look great!! A lot bettter then my first time. Love the colors you used!

You did a wonderful job on this quilt! If you could see my first attempt, it was aweful. Yours is great only to be even more so as you continue FMQing!

Great job on your first FMQ, looks good!!!!

I wish I could do as well with the free motion.

It sure looks great to me!!

good feathers

I love your leafy vines and your selection to put it on the dark green strip makes it pop! You first attempts at FMQ are inspirational. I can just imagine what you will accomplish with more practice.

I love what you did. Great job and congratulations! I think the first time is the hardest. I was actually scared to try it the first time. ;0

Great job - well done on your FMQ

looks wonderful, great job and thank you for sharing
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

Wow I wish mind looked that great.

Beautiful and so is your FMQ. I am still trying to learn.

Those vines were the first details that I noticed, so they really do work well! Love your table topper. The colors are perfect for this time of year. So, would you say you're hooked?

What great results for your FMQ. Your results are admirable and you've certainly got a lot more talent and courage than this writer!!!

I bought more bobbins for my Viking Mega Quilter so I can start practicing FMQ beginning at ground zero. I will be using some tightly woven fabric and cotton batting. I am so nervous about this learning process that I chose patterned fabric at the thrift store. I figured that I could "birth" a small quilt for a dog or cat and go to town with my
experiments.

Keep up your wonderful work and please, please post your progress. You are an inspiration! :-)

I love it and your quilting is beautiful,great job done.

Very nice!! Your quilting look great!

yeah for you. I love the leaf design where you put it, it just adds such a nice touch. I love FMQ and am so happy for you that you were brave enough to start doing it. For me, it is the most fun part of a quilt.

What a great job you did!

beautiful topper and you certainly do much better then I ever could, very nice

Thanks for all these lovely comments and all the great encouragement and inspiration. As I just wrote in a blog, this board is the greatest!

Quilting is addictive-in whatever form. I will always love hand-quilting, but the idea of 'drawing' in thread is pretty exciting too. I just know there are countless feathers in my future...Thanks again!

LOL and thanks Tartan! Now that its over, ;) it wasn't so bad. I just love this pattern. I may even make another one some day. Truthfully, I didn't really have a problem with the bias edges. I knew ahead of time to be really careful. I think this is the most complex thing I've ever pieced though. I did several double-takes of the pattern to get it together correctly...Thanks again!

Thanks--I too can't wait to see what will happen with more practice...I don't know about inspirational, but I am certainly inspired. I love quilting--in all forms. BTW, I love cats too. Have five--a mother and her five kittens.

Thanks! I love everything about quilting. I will always prefer hand-quilting, but there is something pretty cool about commanding that machine and finishing a project in so much less time. I just finished hand-quilting a quilt that I started in January--that is 8 months--long time. To answer your question, I am definitely hooked.

Thanks Kay! I don't know about talent or courage; I just know I like quilting of all kinds. If I had the money and the room, I'd love a long arm machine, but that is out of the question, so, I must settle for putting my little Jenome through her paces. I suspect the dog or cat that gets your first quilt is going to be one lucky pet. Thanks!

Very pretty.

Deb, Thanks. I am envious--I didn't think it was the most fun, but I can see where it might come to that. As wonky as my leaves turned out, I do think with practice, FMQ does add a different kind of element and could be really fun one day.

What a great job for your first FMQ quilt. I just decided to start machine quilting. Was the motivation to finally buy the new machine I had been wanting. I'm still practicing on practice sandwiches, not brave enough to start on a real quilt. I do have a top I think I will SID. You inspire me to keep going and get to the point where I'm brave enough to FM my first quilt.

boy do I agree! I see some great quilting emerging here!

Looks like you did a fantastic job on this.

Amazing! I am so scared to try FMQ but one day I will. You are an inspiration, thanks!

Fantastic endeavor! FMQ still scares me a little.

Great job!- you can't go wrong trying and get better the more you do! I have a friend that just won't give it an honest try and I just know she could do it if she gave it a fair chance. Me, I'm a newbie at it, too, but am fearless at jumping in and just have a go at it! I do a lot of research and have a plan in my head. Cudos to you:)
Sally

So, your first time! You did great, and are on your way. Enjoy and have fun.

Good job.....Looks great.

You did great FMQ, sure wish I could do it that good ! I have this pattern myself, have not used it yet. You did a great job.

An excellent first FMQ quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Oh boy, what a great way to start a morning--with all these kind words. You ladies are awesome. I can't tell you what it means to me to be called an inspiration when in reality I am the inspired one. So many good things happen here. There is nothing more exciting than the creative process. So many quilts yet to make...Quilt on...Piece and Love!

SUPER JOB! I like that pattern. Your leaves look great